Gas absorber for products of combustion



June 1l, 1929. J. BlLsKY GAS ABSORBER FOR PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION Filed Feb. 9, 1927 Patented June 1l, 1929.

.moon BILsxmNow BY GRANGE-or NAME JOHN alimony BILLINGS,

F 'CHIOAGO,

ILLINOIS.

GAS ABSOBBEB FOR PRODUCTS 0F COMBUSTION.

Application led February 9, 1927. Serial No. 166,840.

This invention relates to a gas absorber for products of combustion and more particularly to a chemical absorber for the exhaust gases from internal combustion engines and the like 5 capable of absorbing and fixing the poisonous and obnoxious components of such gases.

As is well known, the exhaust gases from internal combustion engines and the like contain components that are very deleterious to human health, especially when inhaled in coniined places such as closed garages. In fact, the inhalation of carbon monoxide gas, lwhich is one of the most dangerous components of the exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, not infrequently results in death. With the congestion of automobile traiiic, which has now become so prevalent in large cities, and the use of heavy metal compounds in anti-knock gasolines, the problem of eliminating the poisonous and obnoxious components of motor exhausts has become a very serious one.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a gas absorber suitably arrangedi for attachment to the exhaust pipe of internal combustion engines and capable of absorbing or otherwise fixing the noxious gases and vapors eliminated through said exhaust pipes.

Other and further important objects of this invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the specilication and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: A Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of a gas absorber embodying the principles of my invention. f

Figure is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of gas absorber.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line Figure 4 is-a ragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a second modified form of gasabsorber, and V Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line V-V of Figure 4.

The reference numeral 1 indicates as a whole a gas absorber embodying the principles of my invention. Said device l is preferably formed of aluminum and adapted to be attached to the end of an exhaust pipe 2, such as employed on automobiles and the like for removing the exhaust gases .from internal combustion engines. Said device 1 comprises A tain components of the exhaust chamber formed by said enlarged portions 3 and 5. Said gas absorber 6 preferably comprises a plurality of separate hollow members or balies 7, 8 and 9, having walls formed of open mesh material, such as wire gauze. Each of said hollow members or batHes 7, 8 and 9, contain specially selected chemical substances adapted to absorb, react or otherwise fix cergases, as will now be explained. f

As is generally known, the exhaust from gasoline or kerosene internal combustion engines contains relatively large quantities of carbon dioxide and smaller quantities of car- .bon monoxide, benzol derivatives, unconsumed hydro-carbon vapors, sulphur dioxide, hydrogen, and, of course, water vapor. In addition to these products of combustion and unburnt gases, there may also be present small quantities of lead compounds formed from tetra ethyl lead used as an anti-knock in the gasoline. I propose to fix the poisonous and obnoxious components of the exhaust gases by means of suitable chemicals contained within the hollow baiiles above described. By the term fix is meant any process of absorption or reaction of a physical or chemical nature that will result in the elimination of particular components of an undesirable nature from the exhaust gases.

Absorption of the exhaust gases may, in general, be accomplished either by organic substances such as active carbon, activated charcoal ,Hof animal orv vegetable origin, and the like, or by inorganic chemicals such as cuprous chloride, copper ammonium sulphate, palladium chloride, calcium chloride, and the like, palladium chloride being particularly efficient in the absorption of carbon monoxide.

The secondvgeneral method of fixing the various components of exhaust gases is by the formation of complex compounds. For instance, such materials as potassium iodide, potassium acid tartrate, and haemoglobin serve to react with carbon monoxide to form non-gaseous products, and sugar or other carbohydrates may be suitably used. y

The third general method is by oxidation by means of acid, alkaline, or neutral oxidiz- 2o thereof, the follow-ing will illustrate my preedffor this purpose.

palladium chloride serving to absorb the caringcompounds, either with o r WithoutJ the"V use of a' catalyst. Among the compounds suitable for this purpose maybe mentioned ferrie oxide, chromic acid, sodium permanganate, hydriodic acid, boric acid, borax, and others'.y

. The fourth general method is by neutralization.` Since in general the exhaust gases are acid' in character, vcaustic and 'alkaline earthV hydroxides carbonates are best adapt- Organic com ounds, suchv as sodium -phcnate and hexamet yleneltetraniine are also available.

Y Due to the presence of hydrogen in the exhaust gases, hydrogenation of cert in of the products of combustion may be e ected by use of a suitable catalyst, such as nickel compounds. v r

Without limiting my 1nvent1on to any specif'rcfgas fixing ingredients or arrangements ferredgas absorbing and fixing compositions and their arrangement. Preferably -three layers of chemica sare used.

The first layer, confined within the hollow baflie 7, comprises a mixture of approximately 40 parts of charcoal. Y

15 parts of cuprous chloride.

10 parts of cuprous ammonium sulphate. `-1 part of palladium chloride.

5 parts of fibrous asbestos.

5 parts of sodium chloride.

The charcoal, of course, serves as a general absorbent for gases, the cuprous chloride and bon monoxide. The fibrous asbestos serves as an inert non-combustible material to main-A -tain the chemical substances in an open, porous condition.

The second gas absorber layer, which is of an oxidizing character, is contained within the hollow baiiie 8 and comprises the ifollow- 20'parts of charcoal. 10 parts of sodium acetate. 5 parts of boric acid. 3 parts of hydriodic acid.

' 5 parts of asbestos.

3 parts of borax. 1 part of nickel oxide.

The third gas absorber layer, contained within the hollow baie 9, serves for the absorption of chlorine compounds' and gaseous acids. The materials in this layer are as follows:

' 35parts ofcharcoal. v

60 parts of hexamethylenetetramine. 5 parts of asbestos.

In. Figures 2 and 3 there is illustrated a modified open form of gas absorber, comprising a tubular member 10 having an enlarged portion 11 of substantially square cross section. S'paced oblique hollow baie frames 13 are opposingly positioned Within the chamber formed by said enlarged portion 11 in staggeredY relation, so as to partially obstruct the flow of exhaust gases without building up substantial back pressure. Each of said baffles 13 is provided with walls 14 of foraminous material containing chemical substances such as described above.

Similarly Vin Fi ures 4 and 5 there is shown 'a second modifie form of device having a rectangular cross section. It will be undzerstood that the particular shape, arrangement of the baiiies, or method of attaching the gas absorber device to theexhaust pipe or other outlet, may be varied to suit the particular requirements. The use of the device, furthermore, is not limited to exhaust pipes, but extends to any conduit or opening from which the products ofvcombustion may escape.

I am aware that many changes may be made, and numerous vdetails of construction may be varied through a wide rang Without departing 'romthe principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting the patent grantedv hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention: 1. A chemical gas absorber of the type described, lcomprising active carbon, carbon monoxide absorptive chemicals, and chemi-y cals of an oxidizing nature.

2. A chemical gas absorber of the type described, comprising active carbon, carbon monoxidel absorptive chemicals, chemicals of` an'coxidizing nature, and neutralizing compounds for reacting with acid gases. K

, 35A gas absorber having separate lei'ective absorbing layers, one of said layers con-v taining an absorbent for carbon monoxide, a second of said layers containing an oxidizing chemical, and a third of said layers containing an absorbent for acid gases.

4; A gas absorber having separate eieci said layers containing activated charcoal and xasbestos fibres adapted to render'said layers porous. v

6. A chemical gas absorber of the type de-l scribed, comprising active carbon and carbon monoxide absorptive chemicals, and an oxidizing catalyst.

chemical, and a third of said layers "containing an absorbent for acid gases, all of 7. A gas absorber for products of combusers, one of said layers containing hexamethyltion, comprising a plurality of separate layenetetramine. ers, one of said la ers containing cuprous `In testimony whereof, I have hereunto 10 chloride and palladium chloride for absorbsubscribed my name at Chicago, Cook 5 ing carbon monoxide gas. County, Illinois.

8. A gas absorber for products of combustion, comprising a plurality of separate lay- JACOB BILSKY. 

